Here’s to Being Willing to Fall Down a Few Times for Our True Callings

Something really big happened in the past few months. Something so powerful I feel compelled to tell everyone I possibly can.

All the stress and uncertainty and fear and worry about what’s not getting done that comes along with being self employed was replaced with a deeply fulfilling, almost zen-like sense of accomplishment and belonging.

Everything I’ve been working towards over the past 18+ months finally clicked. I’m now 100% self-sufficient. I’m supporting myself directly from this business I’ve created and it feels absolutely wonderful.

It turns out I wasn’t crazy after all.

Or maybe I was, actually. My entrepreneurial journey actually started long before this blog. Back in 2003 I created a custom search engine (yes, in competition with Google, don’t ask how I was going to pull that off). From 2006 to 2008 I poured my soul into a venture-backed startup that didn’t become the world-changer we were convinced it would.

So maybe I was a little crazy to keep the entrepreneurial dream alive for the better part of seven years without significant results. Maybe it takes a little craziness to succeed in following your dreams.

In any case, I’ve finally gotten things right. I feel like I’m doing exactly what I was meant to do at this moment.

This is what they mean by “doing something you love.” I used to put down that idea. Now I probably sound like a cheesy self-help douchebag too.

I was talking with Tyler today and I actually said to him “I feel like my job now is to convince as many people as possible to follow their dreams.” Follow your dreams? I actually used the phrase in conversation. What sounds cheesier than that?

Sorry to say, I’m serious about that. I can think of no greater shame in life than never following your true passion. Your Personal Legend, if you will.

During the whole time I spent working in the corporate world I always had this nagging feeling. A little voice told me I’d never be happy working for someone else on projects I didn’t really care much about. I thought about my future and how sad I would be if I never pursued what I felt deep in my bones I was meant to do.

Luckily for me the company I worked with treated me like shit enough times that I finally had enough. For you, your situation might be comfortable enough that you never really feel compelled to fully commit to exploring your passions and dreams. That’s a real danger.

And I realize that’s partly why I’m here now. I don’t care how cheesy it sounds. I want you personally to do what you love, follow your dreams and find your true calling.

I wish everyone would give their dreams a real, honest shot. If you fail, the comforts of your old life will be there waiting for you. But I promise, if you really try, if you really commit to making your dreams come true, you’ll probably succeed. And if you don’t succeed, you’ll gain more from your failure than you would from your current situation.

Don’t you owe it to yourself to try?

Our world is severely fucked. As a society we’ve decided that greed and celebrity and consumerism are more important than friends and experiences and helping people out. People like Karol, Tammy, Baker and Colin are leading the backlash and those who are paying attention have a chance at escaping.

The fact that I get to write about this openly and honestly is partly what makes me feel so fulfilled and satisfied.

I’ve not only found a way out, but I also get to help other people find a way out too. I can write about whatever I want and tell what I feel is the truth because I have no one to answer to.

I can’t guarantee you’ll succeed at whatever you set out to accomplish right away. I started following my entrepreneurial dreams seven years ago, and have had plenty of failures along the way. But I’ll gladly endure more failures as opposed to the emptiness of wondering what might have been if I never tried.

“The trick in life is to fall down seven times but get up eight times.”
– Paulo Coelho

Here’s to being willing to fall down a few times in search of our true callings. If you said “cheers” to that, give me a shout in the comments or share this post with someone who could use it.

Like this article? Give it a share:

http://www.peopleskillsdecoded.com Eduard – People Skills Decoded

Hi Corbett,

This is my first time on your blog and I like your straightforward style. I think one trait every person out there would greatly benefit from cultivating is Resilience. Life is not a straight road. You fall, you get up, dust off your pants and keep going.

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Resilience is a great way to put it, Eduard. That’s a word I don’t think about often enough. Thanks for sharing.

http://bryanwilson.wordpress.com Bryan Wilson

I would have to totally agree with Eduard on that one and also add one little thing. Be careful who you ask advice from. Its funny that we often go to the people we love the most in life (parents, brothers, sisters, etc…) for advice and encouragement. When you tell those same people you are doing something “crazy” like following your dreams, these people tend to push you in a safer and more conforming way of life. Even though they are doing it from a place of love, they are simultaneously hurting you by not encouraging you to follow those dreams. I say ask for advice, but also be careful about how much stock you put in to the replies you get. Instead take it with a grain of salt and keep kicking butt like Corbett’s doing! Thanks for the awesome inspiration!!

http://www.TropicalMBA.com Dan

Excellent post. If people think what you are up to is a little crazy it might be a good sign. Really enjoyed “18 months” by the way, still talking about it with other internet marketers :)

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Awesome Dan, I’ll just hope people think I’m a little crazy from here on out.

http://the9to5alternative.com Alan

Yep, you’re nuts. Bonkers. Loco.

In the best of ways, of course!

http://manvsdebt.com Baker

Cheesy self-help douchebag? I don’t find you cheesy, at all. ;-)

http://fizzle.co Corbett

And the other half of that phrase?

http://www.volunteercapitalcentre.org Zablon Mukuba

this is a very deep post. i believe that you owe it to yourself to try and try again

TimB

Hey Corbett,

Thanks for being such an inspiration.

Whenever I get ground down by the work situation I’m in, it’s great to get a metephorical kick in the ass to get me back in focus on what I want to really do in my working life and how to go about doing it.

My situation is slightly different in that, with a wife and kids (and the accompanying mortgage and other commitments) the thought of taking a fall is a little scary, even if there’s a good chance I’ll get up again afterwards.

So my path to creating an income from doing what I love has to be less risky and perhaps a little better thought out now than it would have been had I started out earlier in my life.

All I know is, whenever I talk to my family or friends about my latest entrepreneurial brainwave they look at me like I’m crazy, so I guess at least I’m doing that right!

Cheers again,

Tim

PS – You’re so right about the world we live in now being totally screwed. I don’t want to come across like some of these survivalist guys and doom-mongers that crop up in the Lifestyle Design sites that we all frequent but I do have some thoughts on that subject.

I work in the Property and Financial Services sector and I have a couple of points. We’re not out of the doldrums yet by a long chalk – I’m pretty sure that economically things are going to get a fair bit worse before they get any better. Furthermore, I’m pretty certain that my role, along with those of many of my contemporaries and colleagues, will become pretty redundant in the next 3 years or so as people that we currently hold as clients will find alternative and less costly ways to get what they want by using the technology and tools available to them these days.

That’s another good incentive for me to step off of my current ride and find something I can do to secure my income for the future…

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Geez, I was all ready to feel uplifted at the end of your comment, but then you dropped the doom and gloom on me ;) I completely agree though, and I think the instability you’re describing is just what we all have to get used to from here on out. The world can change so rapidly now because of technology that you can’t count on careers and industries like you used to.

http://www.kristastes.wordpress.com Krista @kristastes

Love this post. I am slowly but surely on my way to leaving the corporate world and following what will make me truly happy. I need inspiration like this to fuel my career change. Thanks :)

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Congrats, Krista. Best of luck with the journey. Don’t forget to enjoy the journey itself as well. That’s the best part.

http://17000days.wordpress.com Cara Stein

Hell yeah, dude! Three cheers for being real, and thanks for the inspiration! Your “Why not?” post triggered me to get off my butt and finally start the blog I had been thinking about for six months, and your “Step it up a notch” post gave me another valuable kick. Thank you for encouraging us all to make the leap, and thank you for sharing yourself. It’s too bad having hope and trying stuff isn’t considered the cool thing in our society, but maybe you and my other blog heroes (Everett Bogue, Chris Guillebeau, Leo Babauta, et al) can change that. Add me to the list, I hope! :)

Thanks for chiming in after my 3rd motivational post in the past month or so. I’ve just been on that kick lately and it’s great to hear it has been helpful.

Jamel

Hey Corbett,

I totally agree with what you are saying. I am going to be starting a journey somewhat similar to yours early next year. I am computer programmer that makes very close to six figures. However, I am not happy, because I feel that I am stuck and trapped in corporate america. I have traveled many places around the world. But my favorite place is Brazil, partly because I can speak enough portuguese to make it very interesting. I feel so alive when I am there immersed in the culture with the people. How they enjoy the simple things in life. Many of them do not have the big house or the fancy cars. All they have is true friends that brings them geniune happiness that I rarely see in the USA. So next year I am planning on living abroad in Brazil and maybe 1 other place for a year. It’s scary, no doubt, but I have been thinking about this for years.
I have worked for the same company for 14 years. I am single with no kids. So at 39 years of age I am ready to explore.

Thanks for the post Corbertt. It inspires me to go for it.

http://fizzle.co Corbett

You’re in the perfect position to explore, Jamel. Your independence will be a huge asset.

And you’re so right about how people live in other countries. I heard somewhere that a survey found Americans value careers, wealth and possessions (house, car, etc.) most, while the French value friends, food and wine and health. Living outside the U.S. has led to some huge mental shifts for me. I’m so much happier because of it.

Doug

8? oh shit, I got like 2 more.

http://fizzle.co Corbett

I’ll take partial responsibility for at least one of those falls Doug ;)

http://67dollars.com/ Jason

You’re an inspiration, Corbett.

Congratulations on becoming 100% self-sufficient.

http://exilelifestyle.com Colin Wright

Can I get an hallelujah?

Amen to that, Corbett! I’m thrilled that you are doing what you love full time, and that you recognize that freeing up that extra energy also means that you can help others get to where you’re at.

To each their own, but I think a lot of people leave out that second part, and it makes the whole process that much more difficult for the next generation.

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Seriously, Colin. This helping people out and sharing the wealth/knowledge part is so much more rewarding than building the business itself. Hmm, how to do more of this and still support myself? That’s the real question.

Justin Dickmeyer

Epic post, epic

http://lilmanIT.com Greg

I’m always disappointed when I don’t see a post from you for a while, but that disappointment fades instantly when you post another great read.

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Sorry Greg, I’m spread a little thin these days. At least you can expect less “fluff” in between the good stuff.

http://www.artistichomeowner.com/ Lisa

Well I busted into working online in 2006 and didn’t have a clue. I was in a coaching program that dried up and went bye bye after the year or so I was in it (it cost me $10K). I was left with a website that made 1 sale in 13 months. And they promised me riches beyond my wildest dreams. I did get really mad and was on the pity pot for awhile, but finally I just decided I had to make my site work. By winter 2009 I had achieved good results in the SERPs. Now I make income from this site and have branched out into other things as well. Someday I hope to be fully self sufficient from my online endeavors, and I really think I will be.

I gave up a $70K my year job in 2008- because it was what I needed to do for my family at the time, and it would be great to replace that income. I’m 44, and I am not giving up. I’m older and definitely wiser than when I started.

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Everyone’s path is different, Lisa. Kudos to you for sticking with it long enough to see results. Those early results contain the seed for much bigger things. Most people never get that far. Best of luck and let us know how it turns out for you.

http://www.thewatermarkgroup.org John Muldoon

Cheers to you Corbett. This post is awesome, and it’s the sort of thing that needs to be shared so openly like this. I relate to it so much.

Failing is so educational, and while it sucks like crazy in the moment, I think it’s what enables the zen-like confidence and calm that you speak of. I just “got there” this year after 8 years of self-employed “success”. I think it helps us be more authentic, which in turn helps us be more successful.

It is a choice though; everything is.

We should all strive to be cheesy self-help douchebags, or at least strive to be unafraid to be.

“All men die… Not all men really live.” – William Wallace (Braveheart)

Your site is one of my favorites these days. I guess it’s because I feel exactly the way you do about things.

The sad thing is I think we are all too quick to give up on our dreams and follow the status quo. It’s scary to step outside our comfort zone. Not everyone has the disposition to discover if the world is really round. Those that do are met by throngs of naysayers who assure them they are going to die.

Cheers to people like you for showing that you can be successful doing what you love.

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Thanks for the encouragement Mark! Fantastic quote from Braveheart, by the way. That’s a film I haven’t seen for a decade. Not sure I could convince my wife to sit through it again (the drawing and quartering is so over the top).

http://artofminimalism.com/ Mike Donghia (Art of Minimalism)

you cheesy son-of-a-gun! I don’t care what people call you – I think your work is seriously changing lives. It’s showing people (myself included) that we don’t have to wait around for permission to start living our lives the way we want. We can actually do something that makes a difference :)

Man, this stuff makes me come alive!

What more could you ask for?

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Rock on Mike, glad to make you come alive!

http://www.ace-your-audition.com Adam

Corbett,

Another great post. You’ve earned a new fan in me, as I’ve recently subscribed to both Free Pursuits and Think Traffic.

After reading this article, two of my favorite quotes spring to mind:

“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.”
-Thoreau

“He only earns his freedom and his life who takes them every day by storm.”
-Goethe

Rock on,
Adam

http://fizzle.co Corbett

That Thoreau quote is one of my all-time favorites Adam. It pays to read it every week in my book.

http://experimentsinpassiveincome.com Moon Hussain

Corbett, awesome post! I’m not there yet, far from it, and the stress comes at me on and off. But the feeling of believing in myself–quite nice.

Thanks for this post.

http://tylertervooren.com/advancedriskology Tyler Tervooren

Per our Skype call, I can verify that Corbett is not a cheesy self-help douchebag.

Self-help is the name we give to ideas that don’t work.

http://www.elevatedsimplicity.com Eric

Cheesey or not Corbett it’s effin true!

I’ve been afraid of venturing out on my own a lot before, out of fear of the fall, but you know what, I look back and wish I would have taken more risks. As long as you surround yourself with quality relationships and have a sound ming, you can recover from ANY fall.

Slàinte to falling!

Eric

P.S. Baker I was thinking the exact same thing!

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Congrats on the recent blog launch Eric. I love your enthusiasm and have no doubt many other people will appreciate your story as well.

http://travelswithmiranda.ca Rae

Thank you for this post.

I’m working at the same goal and finally starting to see a shift towards independence, but the hours are long and the pay is still slim. You’ve reminded me of just what it is I’m trying to do, and why I should do it.

http://fizzle.co Corbett

It’s easy to get caught up in the small day-to-day successes and failures. I always try to balance that with keeping an eye on the bigger picture.

Philip Green

Love the post, very inspirational. I’ve just started to really follow my dreams with a travel and food blog and posts like this get me through the times of self doubt and people who think what I’m doing is a pipe dream that’ll never materialise. Thanks again.

http://satyacolombo.com Satya Colombo

Cheers to that man! I can definitely attest to falling down and dusting myself off — being willing to reinvent myself in alignment with who i really am — have to say , that has been the greatest gift and blessing. It can also be a curse, if you don’t pay attention and pursue the life that’s calling for you!

Cheers for making it happen, and speaking the truth about what you’ve found, and what you’re here for….

I can say that from what I’ve learned from you, especially after our call, perhaps the biggest takeaway for me was that you don’t have to be a ‘douchey’ smug self-help guy to demand and carve out a life on your own terms for yourself, based on what you believe is most important to you and the world.

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Nobody ever said I wasn’t smug, Satya ;) To each his own though.

http://thetitanproject.wordpress.com/ Jonathan Manor

sweet like pie!

http://www.locationindependentfamilyexperiment.com Mike Routen

Corbett,

Thanks for showing some of old dogs that we really can change our lives. I’ve been stuck in a rut for over a decade and have recently decided to claw my way out.

After living a rather adventurous life in my teens and twenties, I settled down and started a family. I slowly let the expectations of others define my life over the last 20 years. Well, its time we took our lives back!

I envy all of the younger people that are reading your blog and learning that they don’t have to follow the traditional paths to “success”. They are starting so far ahead of those of us who are already in our ruts!

Ultimately it doesn’t matter where we are now. What matters is that we now know what is possible and strive to making that our reality.

Please keep reminding us of what can be achieved!

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Cheers, Mike. Your age and current place in life brings with it some benefits that the younger folks don’t have. Use them to your advantage.

http://www.vicdorfman.com Vic Dorfman

Yeeesss!

I can *hear* the emotion in your words, Corbett, and it’s prettay prettay prettay good to hear.

If what you’re doing is crazy, what the hell does that make the majority of workers?

Big-up Yo’self.

Good Vibes~
Vic Dorfman

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Hey Vic, you win the favorite comment award for today, just by including the Curb Your Enthusiasm reference. That wins in my book any day.

http://www.greenandfreeblog.com Vanessa

Corbett,

Your happiness filled ME with happiness. I personally love cheesiness :P I’m so happy that you’ve made it out. For all of those people who think about leaving the hum drum of a crappy job but don’t think it’s possible, seeing your story is the inspiration that’s needed to kick someone in the butt. And I think that makes you kind of awesome.

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Hey Vanessa, keep at it. I love the “Green and Free” concept. I’m sure you can find a big audience if you stick with it.

http://www.tradingheroes.com Hugh Kimura

I can relate…I thought real estate was my ticket to freedom and I just kept banging my head against the wall…for 6 years! You only fail if you quit right? At a certain point, I realized why I wasn’t successful.

No money down RE works, but I didn’t enjoy it. I am much happier blogging and trading and I finally feel like I am doing what I want to be doing in life.

I haven’t found complete independence yet, but that is my goal for the next 12 months.

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Sometimes a big part of the journey is just figuring out what you really want to be doing. I know I dabbled in a whole lot of things before finding one that fits me like a glove.

http://www.lifestylebusinessdesign.com John Paul Grant

Preach it brother! Thats the shit right there!

Your story is so inspiring! Congrats on the self sufficiency, lets hope you can help a lot more of us get there ;)

http://www.martinairing.com Martina Iring

Hi Corbett,

Loved the post. Screw anyone who thinks you’re being cheesy. I bet they’re not here anyways :) It’s all about spreading this good energy around.

And now, I’m gonna add to the cheese. Every cloud has a silver lining. I also was in a job I hated, and without that negative experience, I would never have gotten off my butt and started my own biz. So we should embrace the hardships, cause you’re right, those that are comfy in their existence and don’t question the direction our society is going never get off the damn couch to change the world.

Kudos to you!
Martina

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Thanks for adding to the cheese, Martina. I’m all for piling it on today. Congrats on your own silver lining.

http://www.balancedworklife.com/blog Bryce Christiansen

Corbett,

I feel like I got to take my own personal journey just to get to the bottom of all your comments. Great work.

It’s good to read a post that puts a fresh spin on a popular topic. What a great job you have to convince people to follow their dreams.

I think a great point that should be mentioned is that not enough people understand how zen like and peaceful it is to center your life around your passions. I think we often let our fears keep us from ever making that step to pursue our true dreams.

I’m looking forward to reading more of your blogs.

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Thanks for venturing through all the comments Bryce ;) And yes, I don’t think you can understand the feeling of truly doing something you love until it actually happens. That’s where you’ll just have to trust me and others if you haven’t been there yet yourself.

Greg

Loved the post Corbett. I handed in my resignation to my supermarket job last weekend, I’m resigning on the day before Christmas =). I’ve been a long time reader of yours & several other blogs and you (along with the other bloggers) have really inspired me to take the plunge.

Keep up the great work!!
Greg.

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Best of luck Greg! I hope you’ve built a financial cushion and solid plan. Let me know how the adventure turns out.

http://www.JackiePurnell.com Jackie

Not cheesy at all. I wish more people had the belief in themselves to “follow their dreams” and stop putting things off until “someday”
Time is finite. Even if you can do one small thing to move you closer to those dreams you should grab it with both hands. After all a life lived with regrets is a life half lived.

Keep up the excellent work. Loved the Post
Jackie

http://dontlookintothelight.wordpress.com/ Lauren

You definitely need to fall down a few times before you get it right. Especially if you’re not sure what it is you want. I guess the real fear is allowing yourself to fail a few times, often people are too worried to try.

Thanks for the post!

http://www.ashlieghinwonderland.com Ashliegh

You post made me think. How much imortance in my life it really was that my last job treated me like shit enough to finally get the courage to do something different. Because I was SO unfulfilled in my job I grasped for ANYTHING to get me out of there, this made me learn so much and quickly I found that my thinking was outgrowing my job rapidly, making it all the more uncomfortable. One thing that I LOVE about taking a leap of faith and making a business work is that every small success feels HUGE which is unbelievably more satisfying than having some boss pat you on the back for doing something grand. The funny thing is, and it blows my mind, my business is relatively simple in the scheme of things, but the rewards and opportunities once I got going with passion, come quickly and easily. I’ve learnt that for every person there is to drag you down, there are a hundred more willing to help you and push you up, something I’d NEVER expected from the beginning. The more I expand, the more people offer resources, again something I NEVER expected. I have the luxury of a fiancee who supports me financially until I get this going strong (he sent me this post), with the growth it has had over the last few months, I think I’ll be self-sufficient by the end of next year. I now get to do all the things that I really love, luckily for me, that doesn’t mean riches, right now anyway…my goals will expand :) As my business grows, so does my knowledge, my habit of being resourceful and seeking opportunity and expansion. If I fail miserably, and this is all I take from this experience…it will still be a much more satisfying choice than the monotonous workings of my old job :) Plus once you know how to do it and how great it is…you can NEVER go back! Being an entrepenuer was the greatest choice I ever made…even the F#$% ups are fun.

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Exactly, Ashliegh, even the fuck ups are fun ;)

You mentioned something, that your business is relatively simple in the scheme of things. Mine is too in a lot of ways. I think that’s part of what is so rewarding. In the corporate world, we often overcomplicate things because there are so many people involved on each project and so many people looking to make themselves important. Simplicity gets lost in big business, and that’s a big reason why I love working for myself.

http://www.relaxyourlifestyle.com Bas

Great post, Corbett, thanks for sharing. Just took my first little step towards (hopefully) a new and improved lifestyle, and it’s great to read that it is actually possible, even if you fall a number of times.

http://www.barbaraling.com Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach

Love the idea of competing with Google, I can really relate to it.

I think believing in your dreams is a great thing to do IF and only IF you have verified that dream is:

a.) Logical (I believe I can fly all I want, but if I step off a cliff, gravity will say Hello! to my sorry behind)

b.) Livable (Dreams don’t pay money; dreams that others want to experience can. So I might dream to run a beading store in Anchorage, but my customer base might not be enough to live on)

Great points, Barbara. A little reality is warranted here. Following your dreams does require basic logic and a plan for earning an income if you really want them to work out. Cheers.

http://brentonrussell.com/ Brenton Russell

Great post! I am just at the start of my own entrepreneurial journey with six weeks left to go until the final day in my current stable job that I have been doing for 12.5. years. After that I have eight months of paid leave to setup my life how I want it to be. I am definitely going to bookmark this post and re-read it every time I lose focus or confidence.

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Wow, what an amazing change it’s going to be. 12.5 years is a long time. Congrats, Brenton. As someone who has been there, I’d start off by doing everything you can to stretch your paid leave to last twice as long. Plans usually take much longer than you hope.

http://www.kristensloan.com Kristen

Congratulations Corbett on the success of your online business!! That’s a great milestone for yourself!

I am following my dreams and even though it’s hard, I love it! Thanks for the inspiration.

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Thanks Kristen. Best of luck!

http://www.michaelfenwrick.com Michael

Very good! Babe Ruth said”it is hard to beat a man who wont quit”. I am a firm believer of this. Your goal is yours alone and no one, repeat, no one has the right to deter you. Especially yourself pity. Sometimes we are our worse ememies, we give up at the moment when the goal is within our reach. I went to a seminar were the speaker said ” keep your eye on the prise, not the clock”. Thank you for the opportunity to express my view……

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Oh, we’re definitely our own worst enemies most of the time, Michael. Thanks for the great quotes.

http://trafficcoleman.com/ TrafficColeman

Your life is what you make it..take advantage of the opportunities..you control it..

“TrafficColeman “Signing Off”

http://kimhayesphoto.com Kim Hayes

I think you make a pretty good self-help douche bag. ;) Way to go Corb- love this post!

http://fizzle.co Corbett

If I’m going to be a douche, I may as well go all in, right?

http://minimalistwoman.com Meg

Great post–I love writing that makes me burst out laughing and nodding in agreement at the same time. Thanks to you and all your peers for having the guts to give your dreams a go, because they certainly inspire me to do the same.

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Glad to make you laugh Meg! I never know if the humor is coming through. Thanks for letting me know.

http://www.estilominimalista.com Pedro Paulo

Amazing text! And I really love read post from here. And one day I will also get my minimalist lifestyle. THANKS for all! Btw, “Paolo Coehlo” is Paulo Coelho, brazilian writer ?

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Hey Pedro, thanks for catching my butchered spelling of Mr. Coelho’s name. Yes, I was referring to the famous Brazilian writer. I fixed the spelling in the article. Cheers.

http://thepursuitofhoppyness.com Tim

I think the real key here is the word “try.”

People think about their dreams, and they may even pursue them a little bit, but they never truly “try,” as in “honestly give it EVERYTHING you’ve got.”

We’re too scared. Scared that we’ll fail. Scared that we’ll lose everything.
Even when we’ve got total happiness and an empowering sense of accomplishment waiting for us. We’d rather sit around and say “what if?”

Only a few are honestly giving it a go.

You’re increasing that number with your writing, Corbett. Keep it up.

http://Simplicitytree.com Dan B.

Amen!!! I am you three years ago. Absolutely agree with your post and your whole thoughts are exactly the same as some that run through my mind. Meanwhile, most people in this country walk around on a daily basis completely oblivious to what is really going on and ignoring their heart’s song. It is sad – I wish everyone would have the courage to wake up. I have been waking up for the past couple of years, getting things in place and about to take my own steps on a new journey and chapter in my life. Thanks to folks like you showing me that I am not crazy!

http://wishcandy.net Sashiko Yuen

Thank you for writing this post! I completely agree.

I just graduated from school studying painting and illustration. I’m dedicating myself 100% to my career, and I’ve had a bit of success thus far. However, i know a lot of naysayers and I keep telling me to get a “real job.” But hey, I’ve got shelter and food. So who cares?

Keep up the whole “follow your dreams” bit. I tell my friends that all the time. It hurts me to see them sacrifice their happiness for tiny paychecks.

http://OnlineBusinessZen.com Brad Smith

I went full time with my online businesses just over two months ago. I had a few sleepless nights, “what have I done” moments, and real fears, but as you say its starting to click now. I’m still in the early stage of adopting to the new lifestyle, but think it is the right path ahead.

Find your passion, set goals for yourself and then relentlessly pursue your dreams!

Brett

Hi Corbett,

I enjoy reading your blog as well as some of the other lifestyle design blogs. I loved this post because it is so true! I followed my dream many years ago and turned my love of aviation into a dreamjob as a pilot for one of the big airlines flying all over the world and making six-figures. After 15 years with my current airline and all the downturns in the industry, I no longer feel that thrill, and I have begun looking for “what next” the last few years. I tried running my own business (while still keeping my pilot gig), a brick and mortar franchise, a few years back and was almost relieved when the economy took it down because I was a slave to the business. My problem is this… while I would like to find something else, a small part of me still enjoys parts of this job, even if it is mostly drudgery and working for “the man”. I mean, whats not to love about having a few beers in Moscow with some lovely russian women one weekend, doing the same in Sao Paulo the next, and hiking the Swiss Alps on next weeks Zurich layover? How do I find if leaving what was once a dreamjob for me is the right thing to do? How will I know if I miss some parts of that job until I actually do? In aviation, you can’t just pick up where you left off once you are gone.

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Ugh, tough questions Brett. I don’t think there’s a way to actually know unless you experience both sides. Maybe you can talk with some ex-pilots about how they’ve managed the transition? Or, maybe you could take an extended time off (like a month or more) and see how you feel?

Maybe some other folks reading this will have better ideas. Good luck making the decision.

http://theclickstarter.com David Wang

Hi Corbett, I used to think these things were cheesy too. But lately I see how important it is for you to be in that right frame of mind if you really want to be an entrepreneur. People like you, Chris Guillebeau and Karol have been inspiring to me–not in the fanboy sort of way–but in the “if they can do it why the f**k can’t I” way. So thanks for sharing and keep on posting stuff like this. Here’s to falling down!

http://www.lifestyledesigndiary.com Eric

Thanks for this post! I’ve started my blog (the first steps anyway) and love the inspiration. I also love a post with douchebag and severely fucked in it! It makes my feel like finding my voice won’t be too hard.

Congrats Corbett. Following your dreams is not cheesy at all. None of us is making it out of this alive, so we may as well do what we really want to do :-)

http://www.whereisjenny.com Jenny

You know. I fell off the map for a while. I wasn’t doing what I was supposed to do, then something terrible happened… but I’m grateful for that terrible moment because I woke up. When I woke up I realized what I needed to be doing. I picked myself up off the ground and started making changes… I broke off a 4-year relationship (guy I was going to marry) and began selling everything I owned. Looking back at where I was 6-months or even a year ago to where I am at now is insane. I’m 60 days away from leaving for indefinite travel and I couldn’t be happier. Life is fucking amazing and I’m so stoked right now knowing I’m on the right path doing what I’m supposed to be doing.

http://www.mycloudliving.com Jay

Thanks for this post. It really does provide a bit of inspiration for working towards you dreams. Sometimes I think it just seems easier to stay where you are than trying to take action. When you’re staying where you are, you aren’t going anywhere. That’s why I want to get out there and try things. I want to follow my passions and achieve my dreams. Only then will I be moving forward in life.

http://www.thedynamiclife.com Hugh

Unfortunately, I just got to reading this post after letting it marinate in my inbox for a week. Congrats to all of your success and best to your continued success! It’s people like you who inspire people like me (nouveau blogger, corporation-dodger, aspiring ‘trep) to work my ass off.

http://fizzle.co Corbett

I hope it was tastier after the marinade, Hugh. Probably depends on what was in your inbox along with it.

Getting up the eighth time is so important, but so is believing in your dreams and following your vision. Too often we have dreams but put put them just out of reach, we don’t quite believe we can get there, no matter how much we would like to. Make the vision big, but attainable, then you will go for it. You also need to keep ramping up your vision to avoid becoming stale. What’s your new vision, Corbett?

http://fizzle.co Corbett

Great Question, Graham. I’m actively shaping my bigger, bolder vision as we speak. I hope to reveal some details in the next month or two. Cheers. Thanks for stopping by.

http://www.tantujin.com TJ

Your experience makes me feel that little bit more confident this could work out for me. Thing is, I’ll love trying this lifestyle out, but I’ve got university study coming up next Aug. What would you say to someone with little savings but 8 months to try everything and anything he can?

I know this is an old one, but I just happened upon it. Thanks for the additional inspiration Corbett. I came across your materials as part of the Only 72 promo and have been burning the midnight oil ever since. Keep lil’ posts like this coming for those of us on the brink – verge – fence etc.

I’ve definitely fallen down a couple times when it comes to pursuing what Josh Millburn would call my mission. I think I’m on the right track finally and looking forward to getting the site up and going. I’m still job hunting, primarily because of pressure from family, but would love to work the site into my primary form of income.

Absolutely loved it, but there was one key point I bumped up against: If you fall down, the comforts of your old life await you. I’m afraid that’s not always true, relative to the risk you’re taking, of course.

In my case, the risk was extreme. I had no more than a couple thousand dollars and good credit when I quit my job to follow my dream to Europe. No money, no property, no assets, no prospects. I was alone and a bit past the youth-and-beauty phase. Fast-forward through life-transforming adventures — and some bruised relationships caused by my intermittent housing needs — to an illness that forced me to give up my latest expat stint while my first mobile income source was still spotty. I returned to a country in economic freefall, willing to go back (temporarily) to cubicle hell only to find the cubicles no longer there. I ended up in late middle age alone, totally broke, buried in debt, living in a closet-sized unfurnished room smaller than anything I’d had in Asia, and working in a warehouse for peanuts, wondering if I can buy enough food next month.

So the comforts you gave up may not always be there again. Since I first went out 12 years ago, we’ve had a crash or two. The economy to come may not be elastic enough anymore to allow you to re-enter it on previous terms. And you may not be as young as you were.

That’s why making at least your first mobile income stream survivable, before giving up that cubicle jail, is your best hedge against calamity. Things still happen, but the cushion you’ve given yourself will prevent you falling on hard ground and enable you to continue on your new path.

Don’t misunderstand me: Never give up on your dream, and don’t take forever getting your ducks in a row; they’ll never be perfectly aligned. But iron out that one that chucks out money. Because no matter what else happens, that’s the one that’ll always get you by.

The Sparkline is the blog of Fizzle: honest training + vital community for people who want to build their thing and support themselves. It’s for creatives, makers, artists, hackers, bloggers and internetters willing to dig in and care about the what and why of independent business.